Three-quarters of adults with ADHD have tried cannabis, with daily users showing higher rates of anxiety and addiction

Cannabis use was highly prevalent: 75% ever used, 41% past-30-day use. Daily users vs non-daily users showed: higher cannabis use disorder (62% vs 38%), more anxiety (70% vs 48%), more depression (55% vs 41%), more PTSD (30% vs 14%), and reported cannabis worsened inattention. Stimulant misuse rates were comparable. Users reported mixed effects on anxiety: 156 noted improvement while 34 reported worsening.

Anonymous online survey emailed to 9,274 adults with documented ADHD diagnoses (ICD-10 codes confirmed by self-report). 900 completed the 46-item survey covering demographics, medical history, stimulant use, cannabis use, and impacts on ADHD symptoms. Three groups compared: no recent use (n=458), non-daily use (n=256), daily use (n=112).

ADHD is among the most common reasons people self-medicate with cannabis, yet evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. This large survey reveals that while many adults with ADHD perceive benefits, daily cannabis use is associated with significantly worse psychiatric profiles and worsened core ADHD symptoms.

The mixed self-reported effects on anxiety (improvement for some, worsening for others) mirror findings in the general population and highlight why individual responses to cannabis are so variable. The association between daily cannabis use and worsened inattention is particularly relevant since inattention is the core functional impairment of ADHD.

Cross-sectional survey cannot determine causation: people with worse ADHD and more comorbidities may be more likely to use cannabis daily. Self-selected sample with low response rate. Cannabis use disorder was assessed by questionnaire, not clinical interview. Stimulant medication effects were not controlled for.